Prayer to avoid the fall of pride
Author: Emily Rose Massey
Bible reading:
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18, ESV).
Listen or read below:
I’m not used to being on stage. When I was four years old, I gave my first dance recital, dancing Shirley Temple-style in a red polka-dot ruffled dress with a large matching sequined bow. When I was in high school, I sang “Suddenly Seymour” as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. By the time I entered college, I began working toward a bachelor’s degree in theater and dance performance and appeared in dozens of plays and musicals. I have worked as a performer for the Walt Disney Company at various events in St. Louis and have opened for the Jonas Brothers and Raven-Symoné. During my senior year of college, I decided to move to Los Angeles to become a “famous actress.” But thankfully God had other plans.
A few months after graduating from college, the Lord met me in a pigsty. So I wasted years of my life living for myself, for myself, and for me. The Lord brought this proud soul to its own end and opened my eyes to my desperate need for Christ. I repented of my sin and rebellion and surrendered my life to Christ. That was 15 years ago this summer and I haven’t looked back. I still perform on stage to some extent, but now I use my gifts to glorify God by singing on stage with my church’s worship team on Sunday mornings. Of course, my perspective on the stage has completely changed, but I know I’m still not immune to prideful thoughts. I am constantly asking the Lord to search my heart. Because we all know how easy it is to be proud or boast about our abilities.
The book of Proverbs brings much wisdom to believers, and the issue of pride is often emphasized. Proverbs 16 shows us what happens to those who walk with pride.
“Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall” (18, ESV).
Pride brings destruction and deviation from God’s perfect path, causing chaos and confusion. If we put our trust in anything or anyone other than the Lord (including ourselves), we will always be disappointed, lost, and in sin. We must trust in the Lord with all our hearts, but we must not be filled with the desires of the world or the flesh over the word of God.
As I said earlier, none of us can escape the temptation of the sin of pride. It’s very natural for us as humans. Humility is the solution to human pride. Humility is truly a gift from the Father. As humans, it is difficult to continue walking in this godly quality, as well as the fruit of the Spirit. We need God’s help, God’s grace. In order to receive the gift of God’s heavenly grace, we must humble ourselves before the throne of God. If you think you have better control over your life than God, you will ultimately fail. If we are to experience the sustaining and empowering grace of God, we must recognize our proud and independent way of life. Jesus did not consider equality with the Father something to be grasped, but emptied himself of all privileges. Jesus humbled himself to the point of dying on the cross for our sins. We should desire to reflect selflessness in the world, but to do so we must walk humbly and place our trust in God alone. It may also be helpful to ask our brothers and sisters in the Lord to take responsibility in this area. We often have blind spots, such as pride, that prevent us from seeing that we may be straying from what God has best for us. In order to avoid such destruction and depravity, our brothers and sisters will warn us and help us to stay on the right path – the path of humility and righteousness.
Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father,
I repent of my independence and pride. I understand that I cannot go through life without your help and your grace. I pray that your beautiful gift of humility penetrates my heart. I will abandon my self-centeredness and selfishness, and by your grace I will put on the humility that comes from you.
Thank you for your gracious gift of being humble and putting others before yourself. May You be glorified in everything I say and do.
In the name of Jesus, amen.
Share your thoughts on today’s devotion in the Daily Prayer discussion in the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo credit: ©Unsplash/Fares Hamouche
Emily Massey started writing short stories and poems at a young age, entered the world of blogging in her early twenties, and published her first book in 2015. While she enjoys being a homeschool mom to four boys, she is also able to pursue her passion as a writer. She believes much is forgiven, loves much, and desires to teach others about Christ and His saving and transforming power, especially by sharing the truths found in God’s written Word. To connect with Emily, please visit www.emilyrosemassey.com.
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